Fashion Capitals of the World

Five nations have established truly international reputations in fashion design. These countries are  France  United Kingdom,  United States of America  Japan  Italy Though Most major countries have their own fashion industry, including  Belgium,  Spain,  Portugal,  India,  Germany,  Australia.

Top 10 Fashion Cities Named in Global Survey:

         

1. New York, 2. Rome, 3. Paris, 4. London, 5. Milan, 6.Tokyo, 7. Los Angeles, 8. Hong Kong, 9. Las Vegas, 10. Singapore

France

Paris is the largest fashion centre in the world and has been the measuring stick for fashion since the 16th century.

It is also where the momentous Paris Fashion week takes place.

France


France has a large fabric industry that works in harmony with the couture houses; this provides the perfect environment for a fashion capital. In the 40s and well into the 50s and 60s a group of French designers led the fashion industry. Beginning with Dior, Balmain, Fath and Givenchy then Pierre Cardin, Guy Laroche as well as the new youthful designers Yves Saint Laurent and Andre Courreges.

France


 

In the early 60s Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent were the top designers of the French classic style, but the times were changing. Yves Saint Laurent inherited Christian Dior's fashion house in 1957 The more experimental styles of designers like Andre Courreges became popular. The 60s killed the real couture style and replaced it with young and daring street style clothing.

The Couture
 

Fashion is very important economic sector of the country Paris, as well being the prime centre of international haute couture, has long been a veritable paradise for the stylish consumer shopping for clothes. Since Englishman Charles Worth set up in the late 19th century, Paris has been the home to international talent and maintained its position as the hub of fashion. Couture is flagship of France fashion. Many of the world's top designers are French, including Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Chole, Hermes, and Christian Louboutin. These companies all have headquarters in Paris.

Today, many of the major French fashion houses have become international design hybrids.

The French have bred and educated many generations of designers, skilled workers, artists and critics which coupled with Frances fabric industry, large home market, export trade and long tradition of couture makes it the fashion capital of the world.

Italy; Milan

Italy; Milan
 

The majority of the older Italian couturiers are based in Rome. However, Milan is seen as the fashion capital of Italy because many wellknown designers are based there and it is the venue for the Italian designer collections. Italian fashions have a reputation for casual elegance and luxurious fabrics. Among the best-known and most exclusive names in Italian fashion design are
    

Valentino known for his famous "Rosso Valentino," which means "Red Valentino" Gianfranco Ferr known for his boldly-cut, brightly-colored clothes Giorgio Armani known for subtle, masculine style for both men and women Gianni Versace known for his beautifully-cut leatherwear Dolce & Gabbana known for their classic-to-modern, edgy appeal.

According to Business Week. COM the biggest-selling fashion Italian brand is Gucci with a sales of 7.158 billion dollars worldwide.

Italy; Milan


Milano--The fashion capital of the world.Milan is the financial and industrial center of the country, and the home to the most famous names in the world of fashion Milan is the business, fashion and design capital of Italy, with numerous fashion and trade fairs in the Rho` district of the city It is also Italy's second largest and richest city. Via della Spiga, and Via Montenapoleone, two of the most famous influential fashion streets possibly in the whole world. These streets are richly concentrated with fashion designers, jewellers and furriers. Every designer imaginable has a shop or two in these streets: Armani, Iceberg, Luois Vitton, Dior, Bottega Veneta, to name just a small handful.

Italy; Milan


Navigli is a lively and fashionable (canal) district (the Navigli Canal runs through Milan), famous for many bars, cafes, live jazz concerts and antique shops. Brera, is a very fashionable district not far from the centre, which used to be known as the 'artists' quarter', and very bohemian (person who lives an unconventional artistic life, where self-expression is the highest value) in it's day, inhabited and frequented by poets and artists. It is a very exclusive and fashionable district, This area is also famous for Pinacoteca di Brera, one of milan's most fashionable art galleries, exhibiting works from many well known artists, including Rubens and Canaletto.

Leonardo da Vinci's two versions of The Virgin of the Rocks were also painted in Milan -- although they now hang in the Louvre in Paris, and London's National Gallery.

Milan holds fashion trade fairs at numerous times of the year, these streets can be seen full of people from the fashion industry (designers, manufacturers, buyers etc) both day and night, visiting the shops and shop windows observing what new fashions 'are in, getting new ideas and looking at the impressive window displays..

Louis Vitton Store

La Bottega Veneta

United kingdom

United kingdom


 

The first fashion designer, Charles Worth, was a native of Britain, although he made his name in Paris. The majority of British fashion houses are based in London. In the 1920s, Norman Hartnell became known for elaborate evening gowns, and went on to design Queen Elizabeth II's wedding and coronation gowns, and other gowns for members of the British royal family.

Charles Worth

Chloe

Queen Elizabeth II's wedding and coronation gowns

United kingdom


London's Carnaby Street was the original home of British fashion in the 1960s and it's alive again with concept stores for vintage, street and sports brands like Puma, Ben Sherman, Fred Perry and Lambretta.
British designers, Stella McCartney, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen creating collections for Chole, Christian Dior and Givenchy

Big fashion houses such as Chanel, Givenchy and Chloe snap up the hottest new talent .

Britain has some of the most cutting-edge designers around. The British Fashion Pack', including John Galliano, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen,

Stella McCartney

Galliano, John

Chanel, Givenchy

There are loads of 2nd hand clothes stores around Covent Garden and Portobello market for cool rejects. Away from the capital, city centres like Manchester and Leeds are home to individual boutiques original, up-tothe-minute designs. London Fashion week held in February and September is the main UK fashion event attracting the glare of the world's style gurus.

USA; New York

USA; New York

 

For over a century, New York has reigned as America's fashion capital. capital. Today, its creative legacy, successful fashion empires, and important press and retail sectors ensure that the city's influence has become global. The majority of American fashion houses are based in New York, although there are also a significant number Los Angeles and Miami, and Chicago was once a center of American fashion. American fashion design is dominated by a clean-cut, cleancasual style, reflecting the sporty, health-conscious healthlifestyles of many American city-dwellers. city-

USA; New York



More modern influences on the American look have been Calvin Klein (known for classic coats and separates), Uriel Saenz (known for his luxury detailing and superb craftmenship), Kenneth Cole (know for a modern, casual look), Michael Kors (for a fresh appeal), and

A designer who helped to set the trend in the United States for sport-influenced day wear throughout the 1940's and 50's was Claire McCardell. Many of her designs have been revived in recent decades.

Claire McCardell in 1940.

Donna Karan (known for practical, sophisticated women's wear),

Donna Karan

Ralph Lauren (known for casually elegant clothes in natural fabrics),

Ralph Lauren

Tommy Hilfiger (known for preppy, modern American style). Marc Jacobs (known for a diverse style and influences),

Tommy Hilfiger

marc jacobs marc by marc jacobs ...

Anna Sui (known for her unique styles of clothing and for creating new trends),

Japan;Tokyo

Japan;Tokyo
  

The majority of Japanese fashion houses are based in Tokyo. Colors are often sombre and subtle and the fabrics used are richly textured. Famous names in Japanese fashion include  Kenzo (known for layered looks and highly original knitwear),  Issey miyke (known for master drapery and cutting), and  Rei Kawakubo who developed a completely new way of cutting (this can be compared with the innovation of Madeleine Vionnet in the 1930s).

Japan;Tokyo


Omotesand is an avenue, subway station and neighbourhood in Tokyo is known as an upscale shopping area featuring several international brand outlets, ranging from Louis Vuitton and Gucci to the more affordable The body shop, Zara, and others. One of Tokyo's busiest railway stations. Shibuya is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan, particularly for young people, and as a major nightlife area

Many of the most famous names in Japanese fashion now work in Europe or the USA, but the Tokyo designer collections are still a major international event. Fashion show in Tokyo, Japan

model displays a batik creation by a Japanese designer during the presentation of Autumn/Winter 2005 collections in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on April 7, 2005.

The Japanese "look" is loose and apparently unstructured (though this can often be the result of complicated cutting techniques).

issey miyake

kenzo.

Rei Kawakubo

Rank

1. New York -- Far and away No.1 by every index 2. Rome -- Beats out Paris, London and Milan 3. Paris -- Heartbeat of the fashion world 4. London -- Pulsing with creative energy 5. Milan -- Perennial contender for No. 1 6. Tokyo -- Gaining global influence 7. Los Angeles -- Will Posh Spice impact Ranking? 8. Hong Kong -- No. 1 in South Asia 9. Las Vegas -- Emerging as vibrant fashion center 10. Singapore -- Strong regional hub 11. Berlin -- Big fashion push & its working 12. Sydney -- OZ scores two in the Top 20 13. Barcelona -- Regional center grows in stature 14. Shanghai -- China breaks into the Big Time 15. Melbourne -- Gold Coast is golden for fashion 16. Moscow -- Lenin would not be amused 17. Bangkok -- Realizing its dream 18. Mumbai -- Indian fashion influences globe 19. Santiago -- Major strides for a proud nation 20. Rio de Janeiro -- More than Carnivale and Ipanema 21. Sao Paolo -- Money and fashion DO mix 22. Buenos Aires -- Seat of Classic Beauty returns 23. Johannesburg -- A first for Africa 24. Dubai Dubai? -- Yes, Dubai, 25. Krakow -- Neo-Bohemia thrives Neo-

Names From the Fashion Capitals

Paris Chanel Givenchy Christian Lacroix Christian Dior Gaultier John Galliano Louis Vuitton Yves Saint Laurent Balenciago Emanuel Ungaro

Milano/Roma Diesel Dolce & Gabbana Gucci Missoni Versace Roberto Cavalli Armani Prada Fendi Valentino

New York Betsey Johnson Carolina Herrera Donna Karan Kate Spade Kenneth Cole Oscar de la Renta Ralph Lauren Tommy Hilfiger Anna Sui Michael Kors